The only thing that stops the dust is the rain. It’s a sweet reprieve, but there is no middle ground. The land is either as dry as the Betty Ford clinic, or as wet as the ocean floor. Everything can be seen from the ridge overlooking Armadillo as John Marston gently bounces along atop...

Holiday Gift Guide '07

Xbox 360 owners will have the merriest holidays this year with an almost unparalleled season of high-profile, high-quality titles. The games on this list have garnered four B+'s, five A-'s, and one A. I must be hallucinating. This is supposed to be GR, right?

BioShock

Publisher: 2K Games

Genre: First-Person Shooter

MSRP: $59.99

Underwater cities are usually paradises. But the city of Rapture is far from there. Streets are rampant with genetically altered splicers and debris, with blood running off 1940s neon signs. What an eden for the freedom of capitalism! Surely, I bid you welcome to BioShock. Have a nice day.

Mass Effect

Publisher: BioWare

Genre: Adventure / Strategy

MSRP: $59.99

Amidst the dying trend of console exclusives, Mass Effect proves just how alive and important they can be. As Commander Shepard, you will embark on an intergalactic adventure that will test your mettle, your ethics, and the naïve belief that games can't be serious and fun.

Assassin's Creed

Publisher: Ubisoft

Genre: Action

MSRP: $59.99

From among the daily crowd - the woman carrying a pot on her head, the robed man preaching Allah, the vigilante standing in the street with his arms crossed - you are hidden. You have no name. And if anyone should discover it, your blade will speak for you and swiftly return, hidden among the crowd.

Beautiful Katamari

Publisher: Namco Bandai

Genre: Puzzle

MSRP: $34.99

One of the few excellent 'E'-rated titles on the 360, Beautiful Katamari lives up to its quirky name with all things sticky and bizarre. The King of All Cosmos demands you to roll up the junk on Earth - and, boy, do we have lots of that!

skate.

Publisher: EA

Genre: Sports

MSRP: $59.99

Admire Tony Hawk all you want, but his arcady franchise has gotten stale lately, especially when compared to skate. Ollieing around San Vanelona is a gnarly trip, a sensation that can only be matched by, you know, real skating.

Madden NFL 08

Publisher: EA

Genre: Sports

MSRP: $59.99

EA may have a monopoly with their exclusive NFL license, but can we really care when they tackle football so well? Upgraded from last year's installment, Madden NFL 08 is just what a fan of the pigskin needs.